As It Should Be: Seeing Order in the Chaos

“Everything that happens, happens as it should, and if you observe carefully, you will find this to be so.”
— Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius invites us to reconsider our instinctive judgments about events. Rather than labeling experiences as good or bad, he encourages observation and trust in the unfolding of life. This quote is rooted in Stoic cosmology, which believes that the universe is guided by logos—a rational and ordered principle.

When Marcus says "observe carefully," he’s pointing toward the practice of mindfulness: noticing patterns, meaning, and personal growth hidden within everyday events. Acceptance doesn’t mean resignation—it means perceiving events as part of a larger, often hidden logic. This shift in perspective transforms suffering into learning and delays into preparation.

In essence, he’s reminding us: life isn’t happening to you, it’s happening for you—if only you look close enough.

Entrepreneurship is filled with things that don’t go to plan—launches that flop, funding that falls through, or competitors who unexpectedly win a deal. In those moments, this quote is a shield and a compass. It reminds entrepreneurs to zoom out. What seems like failure may be a redirection. What seems like loss may be making space for something better.

For instance, a rejected pitch might nudge you to refine your product—and that refinement becomes the reason you win bigger. A key hire leaving might sting—but creates the vacuum for someone who fits the culture better.

Trusting that “everything happens as it should” doesn’t mean standing still. It means acting decisively while accepting that outcomes aren’t fully in your control. This mindset builds resilience. It lets founders navigate chaos with clarity—not blind optimism, but informed, courageous faith.